Born of Defiance

“There’s only fifteen minutes left,” Chrisen said as Merrell changed the broadcasts, looking for news about their mother and the queen. “You think he’ll do it?”


“Kill the tadara? Absolutely. Free our mother… I don’t know.” He paused on the coverage over what Nykyrian Quiakides had done to Aksel Bredeh and Aksel’s base. They flashed to a picture of his weeping, pregnant wife sitting in a hospital waiting room between Tylie and Cairistiona. “At least we don’t have to worry about one of our hybrid cousins on the throne. Jullien will never inherit now that his parents know what he did to his own brother. And it looks like Nykyrian will die of his injuries.”

“Good. Then the right order of inheritance is ensured.”

Merrell nodded. “As it should have been. A true Andarion on our throne… me. Not some hybrid piece of shit.” He cast an evil smirk at Felicia. “It appears your lack-Vest bastard doesn’t love you, after all.” With a sickening saunter, he closed the distance between them and pulled her hair back from her face.

Felicia jerked as far away as she could. Since the gag in her mouth kept her from speaking, she growled at him.

Merrell buried his hand in her hair and jerked her head back. “You think you’re tough? I can’t wait to hear that fight turn into screams for mercy.”

“Mer, look!”

They both turned toward the monitor to see Parisa being led into the palace by a group of soldiers. Since the news was still showing Cairistiona in the hospital where Nykarian had been taken, they knew it wasn’t her.

Their mother was finally free.

“Unbelievable,” the commentator said. “In a stunning and unexpected move, Tizirah Tylie has agreed to abdicate her power.”

They cut to an interview with the princess in the same hospital, where Cairistiona was sitting in the background.

“My mother will be sorely missed. And the last thing I want is to see another member of my family venture into eternity. Nor do I want another innocent Andarion to suffer. While we are a warring race, the time has come to live in peace with ourselves and only fight against invaders. Those who would do us all harm. It is my honor to step down and allow peace to reign and a new tadara to ascend to her rightful place as our leader.” And with that, Tylie left the reporters who were shouting out questions. She returned to take her sister’s hand in the hospital, as their guard pushed the reporters back and closed the doors in their faces.

Merrell let out a sound of utter disbelief. “I’ll be damned. Batur did it.”

Chrisen shook his head. “So we let her go?”

Merrell laughed. “Of course not. Our mother’s about to be tadara and we will be the new heirs.” He glared down at her. “The only question is, which of them do we gut first?”

Before Chrisen could answer, Merrell’s link buzzed. He checked the ID and smiled. “Matarra?”

Chrisen went to his side. “Put her on speaker.”

Merrell obeyed. “Can you repeat that for Lord Dull and Boring?”

“We’re planning the coronation within the hour. I need both of you here for it so that everyone can see you take your rightful places in our world.”

Felicia jumped as someone touched her bound hands. It took her a second to realize they were signing to her in her palm.

You’re safe. Talyn is with me. We’re cloaked.

Tears stung her eyes as Talyn brushed a tender caress against her cheek to let her know he was with her. She felt the air stirring as he moved to stand between her and the Anatoles.

Morra loosened Felicia’s hands so that she could free herself. She patted her arm encouragingly.

Felicia still couldn’t see them, but just knowing they were here…

Never had she loved Talyn more.

“How did you get free?” Merrell asked his mother.

“Batur arranged it. Tell me where you are and I’ll send an entourage to escort you both to the palace.”

“We’ll come on our own. See you shortly.” Merrell hung up.

Chrisen gasped. “What are you doing?”

“Something about this doesn’t feel right. I don’t trust that bastard lack-Vest. Do you?”

Chrisen glanced back toward Felicia. “No, but he loves his female. For her safety, I think he’d obey us.”

“Then she’s coming with us.” Merrell moved to take her and collided hard with Talyn.

Talyn immediately decloaked. In full battlegear, he reached for Merrell. “You should have just gone on.” He slung him against the wall, then pulled his blaster out and angled it for Chrisen. “One excuse to pull the trigger. Please!”

Chrisen held his hands up.

The expression on Merrell’s face said that he wanted to be stupid. Until he realized Talyn wasn’t alone. One by one, six more Andarion soldiers decloaked.

Both Merrell and Chrisen went down on their knees and surrendered.

Talyn clicked his blaster from kill to stun before he shot each of them.

Twice.